From the massacre at Columbine High to the deadly beating of Matthew Shepard and the dragging death of James Byrd Jr., Journey to a Hate Free Millennium: Stories of Compassion and Hope will take you into the heart of hatred and prejudice.

Hear from the families left behind in exclusive interviews as the Office for Social Justice at West Virginia University presents this powerful, award-winning documentary at 7 p.m. Thursday (Oct. 30) in Gluck Theatre as part of Diversity Week.

Filmmakers Brent Scarpo and Martin Bedogne decided to make the documentary after they met at a candlelight vigil for Shepard. Turning their grief and anger into action, they created a film that would not only help others to cope with their own reactions to these senseless acts, but also motivate the public to put an end to violence and hate.

Journey to a Hate Free Millennium uses shocking examples straight from today’s headlines. Judy Shepard (mother of Matthew Shepard), the family of James Byrd Jr., Darrell Scott (father of slain Columbine High School student Rachael Scott), reformed neo Nazi Skinhead, T.J. Leyden, as well as students, teachers and celebrities such as Elton John, John Dye (Touched By An Angel) and others share their thoughts in this film.

This presentation is open to the public and is made possible through WVU s Office of Social Justice.

A complete schedule of Diversity Week events is available online at http://www.wvu.edu/~socjust/diversity-week.htm .